Harvey Build Thread

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NEFJ60

NEFJ60

10 Year
Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Threads
14
Messages
216
Location
Southern VT/Western MA
I've had my '87 FJ60 for just about 2 years now. I've done a couple things so far, but have been waiting for the wife to forget the purchase of the truck and have been saving money before I took on the projects this summer. So far I replaced the side engine gasket, put in a wire harness from SLCFJ62, new Hella H4s, replaced some odds and ends and just kept it tuned up with the oil changed. Starting today I'm going to do the following:
-OME 2.5" lift
-New TRE/Relay Rod Ends
-Putting in a Rear Sway bar from an FJ62
-Master Series Silver the entire undercarriage (it is rust free and I want to keep it that way)
-16" x 8" Eagle Alloys
-Cooper Discoverer S/T MAXX 285/75R16
-Stainless Steel Battery Tray
-Fourrunner's Battery Cables
-Some other odds and ends. (Wiper motor is finicky, radio antennae isn't hooked up).

So, here goes nothing. I'll keep this thread updated with this and the stuff I plan to do in the future. Thank you in advance for all the help that I know I'll get from you guys.

-Carl

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First thing is first, Deconstruction. I've determined what you need for a build like this:
-Clean garage, well lit
-1/2" impact wrench with 150 psi and 1,150 ft/lbs torque.
-Gear puller.

Lucky for me, there was no rust to speak of and everything came off like butter, even the bolts on the exhaust hanger that I had to remove to get the rear leaf spring free.

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Getting the tie rod and relay rod off was a PITA, but I borrowed this puller from a friend after trying to beat it to death and using a pickle fork to no avail. Worked great!

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I was trying to get the whole tie rod and relay rod off and thought this looked like a great point of detachment. Took the bolts off before consulting my factory service manual and seeing what was really involved with taking the knuckle arm off. I put the bolts back on IMMEDIATELY and think I dodged a bullet on that one. I really wasn't planning on doing a full axle rebuilt this week, and didn't know of the depth of the attachment that the knuckle arm had. I'm a novice mechanic.

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drillduty, I got the tray from stainlesstrays.com. Seems like great quality.
 
Spent the day with a bucket of kerosene, getting the grease off. Should get my Master Series in tomorrow. Gonna wire wheel the frame tomorrow morning and paint everything up.
 
Nice work so far. Sounds like you have a great truck in the making.

I have the same battery tray. It is fantastic!
 
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Talked to the shop where I got my tires today. The wheels aren't in yet, but should be by Thursday. They asked me if I wanted the tires balanced with sandbags... This is my first set of "big" tires. They are 285/75R16s. So roughly 33". I've ordered the 16x8" Eagle Alloys with 3.625" backspacing that have been used a bunch on 'MUD. Any idea about sandbags vs. wheel weights? I also don't understand how sandbags would correctly balance a tire and not just be thrown to the outside upon starting up. If anyone could direct me to a good thread I'd be very appreciative.
 
Also, another question. What are these two hoses coming off the front and rear axles?

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Nice work, if your :princess: already forgot after two years she must secretly enjoy the car :cheers:
 
Today was all about cleaning. Took off all the skid plates and thought I was good to go until I got to the rear end and saw the C-channel in the back. The truck is rust free.... except for that area. Took off the tow bar and rear bumper, and luckily it was all surface rust, but I'm glad I got it now. Should keep it solid for a long time after I treat it with Master Series. Here are some pics. All apart and ready to start painting small parts and putting it back together in the next couple days.

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The C-channel needed the wire wheel, and it really did the trick. All still very solid.
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Skid plates after wire wheelin'
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Another day of cleaning. Got my rims in and am having my tires mounted. Decided to go with the traditional balancing instead of sandbags. Not sure why the guy recommended those in the first place. Great to see what this rig will look like with those wheels/tires. Almost time to start the Master Series Silver and then the rebuild. Will have to take tomorrow off. Back to it on Friday. Here are some pics of today's work.
Cleaned frame on the driver's side.
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Rear C-Channel after some major wire wheelin'. Once the paint is on it will look good as new. Good solid metal inside and out. The main issue was where it connected with the rear bumper.
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Refreshed mudflaps. I'm gonna get the white paint pen to get the letters back up to snuff. I'll also be painting the brackets up.
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